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Gaius Julius Caesar (character of Rome)
Encyclopedia
Gaius Julius Caesar is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO
/BBC2 original television series Rome
, played by Irish
actor Ciarán Hinds
. The real Gaius Julius Caesar
was a Roman general who seized control of the Roman government in 45 BC and laid the political foundations for the transition from the Roman Republic
to the Roman Empire
.
The story starts in 52 BC as Caesar receives news of his daughter Julia's death; historically, Julia
died in 54 BC. Additionally, no mention is made in Rome of his mother Aurelia
, who died months after Julia. There is nothing in the historical sources to suggest that his affair with Servilia Caepionis
ended, as is depicted in the series.
Caesarion
was likely the son of Cleopatra and Caesar. The events of the episode Caesarion insinuate that he may actually have been fathered by soldier Titus Pullo
. Though Caesar is shown presenting his newborn son to his army at the end of this episode, historically Caesar was already back in Rome by the time Caesarion was born.
Home Box Office
HBO, short for Home Box Office, is an American premium cable television network, owned by Time Warner. , HBO's programming reaches 28.2 million subscribers in the United States, making it the second largest premium network in America . In addition to its U.S...
/BBC2 original television series Rome
Rome (TV series)
Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic...
, played by Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
actor Ciarán Hinds
Ciarán Hinds
Ciarán Hinds is an Irish film, television and stage actor. He has built up a reputation as a versatile character actor appearing in such high profile films as Road to Perdition, The Phantom of the Opera, Munich, There Will Be Blood and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. His television roles include...
. The real Gaius Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
was a Roman general who seized control of the Roman government in 45 BC and laid the political foundations for the transition from the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
to the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
.
Comparisons with the historical Julius Caesar
Despite having little physical resemblance to any known representations of the historical Caesar who was balding, the series aims to present him in an authentic fashion (as opposed to an accurate one).The story starts in 52 BC as Caesar receives news of his daughter Julia's death; historically, Julia
Julia (daughter of Julius Caesar)
Julia Caesaris , 83 or 82 BC-54 BC, was the daughter of Gaius Julius Caesar the Roman dictator, by his first wife, Cornelia Cinna, and his only child in marriage. Julia became the fourth wife of Pompey the Great and was renowned for her beauty and virtue.-Life:Julia was born around 83 BC–82 BC...
died in 54 BC. Additionally, no mention is made in Rome of his mother Aurelia
Aurelia Cotta
Aurelia Cotta or Aurelia was the mother of Roman dictator Gaius Julius Caesar .-Family:...
, who died months after Julia. There is nothing in the historical sources to suggest that his affair with Servilia Caepionis
Servilia Caepionis
Servilia Caepionis was the mistress of Julius Caesar, mother of one of Caesar's assassins, Brutus, mother-in-law of another Caesar assassin, Cassius, and half-sister of Cato the Younger.-Life:...
ended, as is depicted in the series.
Caesarion
Caesarion
Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar , better known by the nicknames Caesarion and Ptolemy Caesar , was the last king of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, who reigned jointly with his mother Cleopatra VII of Egypt, from September 2, 44 BC...
was likely the son of Cleopatra and Caesar. The events of the episode Caesarion insinuate that he may actually have been fathered by soldier Titus Pullo
Titus Pullo (character of Rome)
Titus Pullo is a fictional character from the HBO/BBC original television series Rome, played by Ray Stevenson. He is depicted as a hedonistic, devil-may-care soldier who discovers hidden ideals and integrity within himself...
. Though Caesar is shown presenting his newborn son to his army at the end of this episode, historically Caesar was already back in Rome by the time Caesarion was born.